Cool apps for watching Super Bowl

There's even an app that wakes you up if you doze off during the action

Time to get your smartphone ready for the Super Bowl. There are mobile apps out there that really could improve the game viewing experience, especially if the Super Bowl is a dud. Be prepared!

THE COMMERCIALS

Let’s start with the important stuff -- the TV ads. Super Bowl TV commercials have become a huge draw, attracting even those viewers who don’t know which teams are playing. A few ads have already been “leaked.” But if you want to view them, vote on them and more, there are apps for that.

Super Ads: To get you in the spirit of blatant advertising, the Super Ads: Super Bowl Commercials app includes the best ads since 2006. The app will add 2012 commercials as soon as they become available. Until then, feel free to watch all of the commercials -- for just $1.99. iOS

Vote for favorites: USA Today’s popular Ad meter, which tracks the Super Bowl ad success, gets some mobile-app love this year. Using the Facebook mobile app, people can vote on favorite ads – and not just press “Like.” Voting takes place at either admeter.usatoday.com on a web browser or facebook.com/sports. Free, Android, iOS

Shazam TV: You know that Shazam app that identifies a song on the radio? The app now works with TV and this year’s game will be Shazam’s third. According to AdWeek, “at least 17” Super Bowl ads will be “Shazam-able.” Not that viewers need an app to figure out who’s trying to sell them something, but based on past Shazam-linked TV commercials, this app could lead to freebies, downloads, extended commercials and other hilarious stuff. Free, Android,iOS

Ad or app? While on the subject of ads, at least one advertiser is so hungry for consumer interaction that it jumped into the app game. Chevy Game Time offers trivia, chances to win a car and lots of sports-themed social polls. While it’s obviously another way to get your email and into your Facebook account, it could improve the game-watching experience by at minimum, providing diversions during down times. Free, Android, iOS

THE GAME

If you’re an NFL junkie, you probably know about these. But if you’re just tuning in for that annual tacklefest, these are apps that won’t replace the big screen but will help you understand what led up to this big day.

NFL Mobile: For the first time ever, the big game will be streamed online at NBCSports.com or NFL.com. But only Verizon Wireless tablet or smartphone customers can watch it on their mobile device. And no, you can’t just go to the website. You’ll need to download the free NFL Mobile app to, as some joke, watch the biggest sports event of the year on the tiniest, worst screen possible. At least you can watch while in line for more guacamole. Just be careful of overage fees. Verizon suggests dialing #DATA to track usage or use its My Verizon app and get a text when your limit is near. More details at verizonwireless.com/nfl. For other official NFL apps, check out nfl.com/mobile. Free, Android, iOS